Chapter 9

"Let the sorting begin!" Dumbledore said. Then he waved his hand in the air. Appearing shortly in front of him was a stool. Sitting on top of the stool was a dark, dusty, ragged hat. McGonagall stood in front of the crowd of students, picked up the hat and then said "Now, when I call your names. You will come forward and be placed under the Sorting Hat".

She then pulled out a list from within her robes and started with "Micheal Arniel". The blonde boy shyly stepped forward and sat on the stool "Hufflepuff" the sorting called as soon as McGonagall placed the Hat on his head.

She continued down the list, Harry paid attention to when McGonagall called "Hermione Granger." Harry turned to face her and saw the nervous look on her face. She caught a glimpse of him, and Harry tried to give her a reassuring look, however she didn't see it. Hermione stepped up and sat on the stool, McGonagall placed the Hat on her. For a long moment there was the most awkward silence, suddenly the hat spoke.

"Hmm…very difficult. You have a very good mind, a strong will to prove yourself. However I see a little bit more of something else, something deep inside you. For that reason I believe that you belong to GRYFFINDOR!" Everyone had clapped their hands and Hermione went over to the Gryffindor table. Her face a little more relaxed than a few moments ago.

Students kept going and got sorted. Soon enough the place where Harry stood became emptier with each student being sorted. Harry's nervousness didn't kick in until after Hermione's sorting. He then paid attention when McGonagall called out "Luna Lovegood."

Luna calmly walked over to the sorting hat, perhaps a little too calmly. It made feel as though Luna knew where she was going to end up "Ravenclaw" the hat shouted. The smile on Luna's after the sorting proved Harry's theory.

"Draco Malfoy!" was called next by McGonagall. Draco walked quickly towards the sorting hat. Harry knew that Draco just wanted it over with. He sat down on the stool and gave one last glance at Harry. Harry raised his hand in a fist and kept it there for a moment. Drace smirked back at Harry's antics. McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head. The sorting hat shouted out loud "SLYTHERIN!"

Harry's face was a little blank, so was Draco's. However everyone in Slytherin house were cheering to the top of their lungs, their prodigy just arrived. Draco walked over to the Slytherin table with a blank expression on his face. People on the table were either ruffling his hair or patting his back. Draco gave Harry one last look as though he was saying "I'm sorry." Harry smirked and then gave him a nod back mouthing "its okay."

The rest of the names didn't matter to Harry. He couldn't care less if Hufflepuff gained the most attractive first year ever, or that Ron Weasley ended up in Gryffindor like the rest of his family. Everyone had gone; the only one left was Harry. He had the funny feeling that someone had planned it to be this way.

McGonagall then finally called "Harry Potter." Harry then walked to the stool and sat down. McGonagall placed the sorting Hat on him. He then felt like something was being sucked from his head. It didn't bother him but it made him curious.

"Hmm difficult, very difficult. You have an excellent mind, an uncanny nerve to prove yourself, bravery and courage; its all there in your head, but where to put you?" it said "In any house you can become great, perhaps a tad greater in one particular house than the rest of them. I will take the chance and say that today you deserve no more than GRYFFINDOR!" it shouted, causing a loud roar from everyone on the Gryffindor bench.

Harry couldn't help but smile, it had been the place where his parents were placed, perhaps it was fitting that he gets placed there as well. He sat down with the rest of his house and celebrated like everyone else in his house. He then gave Dumbledore on quick glance. Dumbledore raised his glass towards Harry as though to congratulate him for his selection. After all it was customary for one Gryffindor to greet another in some way. Dumbledore then tapped his glass a couple of times to silence the large crowd of students then he said "Let the feast begin."

Then out of nowhere food appeared on the empty tables. Harry smiled at the reaction from everyone around him and how quickly they had grabbed the food from the table. Harry took his time because he knew that he would have all year to enjoy food from Hogwarts.

One of the Gryffindor prefects named Percy had shown the first years around the school, then to the common room. Harry had cared not for anything Percy said. He just wanted to enjoy all that he was seeing. The common room was gigantic and of course marvelous in Harry's eyes.

"The boy's dormitories can be found to the left. The girls are on the right. You'll find that all your belongings have already been brought up" he said before leaving the students to unpack.

Everyone had fallen asleep quickly in the boy's dorm, however Harry had trouble sleeping. He was too excited to be able to sleep he had Hedwig to accompany him. He was sitting beside the window that was next to his bed. He was staring in awestruck at the sight of the grounds and the forbidden forest. Harry went back to his trunk to see if he forgot anything. The first thing he saw was a letter from Sirius. Harry immediately opened it and found that it contained a very long and folded parchment and a letter from Sirius himself.

Harry,

In this letter I enclosed a very special map of Hogwarts. This should help you get to classes, however if you have the 'urge' to 'explore' Hogwarts a little bit more, it also contains secret passageways as well. You'll find it very useful should you ever face a great danger. Remember keep this with you at all times. To reveal the map simply point you wand at it and say "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." If you are done with it then make sure you say "Mischief Managed", otherwise anyone can read it.

Use it well,

Sirius

Harry put the letter back into the envelope and then looked at the parchment. He had nothing more entertaining to do so he pulled out his wand, pointed at the parchment and said "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Harry couldn't help but smile at what he saw next.

AN: Well another day, another chapter. Forgive me guys for my grammar, I kinda rush these chapter a little bit. I really want to get as much of this story done as I could. I also have another fan fic to worry about. So as always Rate and Review